Ideally something more personal or unique than a gift card!
I really try, but struggle as well. I gave my bo a hickory farm pack and a bottle of wine. He owns his own rum making facility, and he doesn’t have horses. He has beefers.
I gave the farrier some alcohol, and another bo some vodka. Lol Notice a pattern? Lol The barn workers got gloves, a bottle of wine (or sparkling grape juice), and some fuzzy socks.
This year, they hired a new teenage boy barn worker. What do I give him?!
I already bought some cute purse/pouch horsey creative zippy things I’d like to put things in, but the barn workers keep changing, so I will see who is there then and how many.
How about a cute wine tote which can double as “wrapping” on a favorite bottle of wine?
https://thepaintingpony.com/horse-gifts-accessories/tote-bags-purses/wine-totes/
Teenaged boy barn worker? Gloves, socks and a gift card to Chipotle, In-N-Out, Shake Shack or other favorite fast food place. If there is one common thread among teen boys it is how much they eat, LOL.
I give:
BO and wife - Gift basket with wine, nuts, cheese, etc and homemade cookies
Barn workers - Cash and homemade cookies
Trainer - Usually something I know she can use at the barn, like a saddle pad with the barn logo embroidered, plus something personal like socks and her favorite candy, and of course, homemade cookies.
In the past I have gone together with a few other clients and gotten bigger items for trainer, like new (matching) saddle and bridle racks for the tack room or a new show bridle for her horse. One year we gave her a gift card to have custom stall signs made (her barn logo and info, plus dry erase space to add horse specific info like owner, vet, feeding instructions, etc)
For my BO I’m buying a gift card to a nice pizza place in the area that delivers to her house and heated gloves.
For my instructor, I’m getting a good bottle of champagne while I’m in France.
My farrier always gets homemade beef jerky or cooked and a new thermos with a gift card for coffee inside.
I just give cash to my barn owner. I know it is not personal but there is absolutely nothing to dislike about money stuck into a card that I wrote out genuinely thanking her for the great care she gives my retired guy. I really don’t know her well enough to pick out a personal gift and I figure she can do whatever she wants with cash versus a gift card to a specific place.
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I love getting gift certificates. My husband and I lunch throughout the winter on my boarders and students. It is fun deciding where to go today!
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I know restaurant gift certificates seem impersonal but I am not sure what else is as foolproof.
I give both to my farrier and trainer, changing up the restaurant but always opting for crowd-pleaser restaurants.
A grocery store or Walmart gift card is always handy as well. This year I plan to throw in some snack mix or cookies along with the gift cards.
A gift card to the local feed store or tack shop is always well appreciated as well! Or, comfort items. Warm blankets, a bath robe with slippers, etc. I know as a horse owner I never buy myself a lot of the “creature comforts” (I buy them for my horse!), so gifts like those are always appreciated.
If you really want to make your BO/BM/trainer happy, tell them how much you appreciate them.
Not just at the holidays, but randomly throughout the year.
Nothing big, just “Hey, I really appreciate all your care of Dobbin. He’s looking great and is really happy here.”
It’ll make their day, believe me.
(Wine and chocolate are never bad choices either.)
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I’m buying my trainer a gift cert for her favorite barn shoes. She buys 1 new pair a year, she told me when I asked, and I’m thinking, given the miles she puts on them, that’s nowhere near enough.
I’m going to poll a couple other riders if they want to donate to the pot, but mostly so my trainer won’t feel the need to reciprocate. If you get $100 gift from 5 clients, you make them cookies. If you get a $100 gift from 1 client, some trainers would feel obligated. Don’t want the obligation, even though she’s worth every penny of that $100 to me.
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This.
Some words of appreciation go a long way, as does cash - especially at this time of the year!!!
The same goes for barn staff. Recognition of their hard work and a little money(cookies too) are always appreciated.
I ordered some custom bumper stickers from Vistaprint. She has a saying that needed to be put on stickers! They will go on grooming kits or tack trunks as well as her vehicle.
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I give the farrier a very generous tip everytime she comes out, that way if I don’t see her during the holidays I don’t need to worry. I drop off beer, wine and food at the vet. I should treat myself for taking care of the horses since I have them at home.
I received a “Cheese of the Month” gift for three months last year: I loved it. Unique, fun, and made the holiday last into spring 
